ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia senior quarterback Aaron Murray and sophomore tailback Todd Gurley have been named to the 2013 Maxwell Award Watch List, according to an announcement Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.

The Maxwell Award, now in its 77th season, is given annually to the collegiate player of the year. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on October 29 and three finalists will be named on November 25. The winner of the Maxwell Award, along with the winners of a host of other awards, will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 12.

Murray, a native of Tampa, Fla., is one of the nation's elite at his position. In 2012, Murray ranked second in the nation in passing efficiency at 174.82. He became the first Southeastern Conference quarterback in history to have three consecutive 3,000-yard passing seasons last year.

In his 28 wins as a starter, he has 74 touchdowns to just 16 interceptions. Murray is the SEC's leading active player in total offensive yards (10,301), completions (696), touchdown responsibility (105), touchdown passes (95) and passing yards (10,091).

Gurley, a native of Tarboro, N.C., was a 2012 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American after becoming the 12th Bulldog to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the first since Knowshon Moreno in 2008. Gurley went for 1,385 yards, which ranks sixth in school history for a single season, and 17 touchdowns (a UGA freshman record) on 222 carries (6.2/carry).

Only Gurley and Bulldog legend Herschel Walker have tallied 1,000-yard seasons in their true freshman seasons. Gurley finished 2012 with nine games where he went for at least 100 yards rushing, which ranks third in school history for a season.

Charley Trippi (1946) and Walker (1982) are former Bulldogs who have won the Maxwell Award. Walker also won the Heisman Trophy that year.

The Bulldogs start the season with a non-conference matchup at Clemson on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ABC will televise the game from Memorial Stadium.